Holders Airdrie crashed out of the Challenge Cup at home to Partick Thistle on Saturday. After a poor first half Thistle took the lead six minutes into the second half when David Rowson sent Liam Buchanan clear to prod the ball past the advancing Stephen Robertson. The closest Airdrie came to an equaliser was a 20 yard shot from Frank Lagana, (booked in the last minute), that hit the outside of the post.

Kenny Black said after the game: "I think we finished the game really strongly but for 70 minutes we didn't do enough to cause them any problems, you might think we could've nicked a goal at the end. I thought the goal we lost was poor, Buchanan made a good run and got inside Lovering from a good pass. We knew we were up against a good side based upon previous games last season but I didn't think we played as well as last season. We wanted to stay in the competition but from my point of view I would've liked to have got to the final and I would rather have games than train."

Airdrie's neighbours Albion Rovers scored a surprise 2-0 victory at Ayr in the Challenge Cup. Bobby Barr scored the golden breakthrough goal ten minutes from time then with 4 minutes left McFarlane secured an unexpected win for the Coatbridge minnows.

Hamilton Accies play Drogheda on their short tour of Ireland on Sunday while Lanarkshire's fourth senior side Motherwell are probably still reflecting on that 8-1 win over Flamutari last Thursday in the Europa League. It is certainly still the talk of the county.